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| Kaiverta |
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Hi all,
So whilst dealing with my cooling system problem (see: http://www.fordmods.com/post1441314.html#p1441314 ), I've discovered that one of the steering rack boots has a nice modest hole in it. The car is regularly serviced, the last being January of this year (two months), so why was this missed? Anyway, without bashing the people who missed this problem, can anyone recommend some kind of tape that I can use to repair it in the meantime while I save up money to get it replaced? Thanks in advance!
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| SWC |
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Any repair other than replacement won't last long at all.
You could try a soft insulation tape but dont compress the boot. Boot replacement is fairly simple. Remove the Tie Rod (count the number of rotations that you do to remove it), cut the zip ties and slip it off. Slip on the new one and fix with zip ties. Refit the Tie Rod using the same rotations that you did to remove it. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ford-Falcon- ... btd34gK68w Supercheap also have them for $10.00 each. |
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| Kaiverta |
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SWC wrote: Any repair other than replacement won't last long at all. You could try a soft insulation tape but dont compress the boot. Boot replacement is fairly simple. Remove the Tie Rod (count the number of rotations that you do to remove it), cut the zip ties and slip it off. Slip on the new one and fix with zip ties. Refit the Tie Rod using the same rotations that you did to remove it. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ford-Falcon- ... btd34gK68w Supercheap also have them for $10.00 each. Thank you.  After a forty-five minute drive, I parked in an undercover parking structure and within a minute, there was a big puddle under the boot. It was definitely oil (black and felt greasy). Here's a new pic of the 'tear' from a different angle. It's actually quite huge. I spoke to three different mechanics (showed them all the pic) and they all said that this isn't an immediate problem to worry about, that the steering rack will be fine for a little while. It looks like it needs to be replaced promptly but I really have no idea of the longevity of uncovered/unprotected joints. Taking the car into a new auto-repair place tomorrow to do a free pressure test (and they'll check the boot too) to see if they can show me where it's leaking from. It had two pressure tests before the new radiator was put in, but hasn't had one yet SINCE. So hopefully this will shine light on the problem.
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| Kaiverta |
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I took my car to a new mechanic today (who gave me a loan car, thank god) and he did a pressure test right in front of me. He bent down, saw where the dripping was coming from, and said that it's the water pump. So the car is in the shop until tomorrow noon (or thereabouts), and we'll see how he goes after that repair is done.
Thanks everyone for your help. I'll post here with an update once I've had the car back for a few days. |
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| Kaiverta |
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Every mechanic who has seen the steering rack boot (including one I ran into at the shopping plaza) said that the boot looks okay, as long as it isn't leaking too much oil. The new water pump is fitted into my car, and now I'll wait and see if the boot (and the underside of the car) dries up. The coolant level looks relatively normal for day one. Am going to check it every day for a while, I think, just to stay on top of any potential issues.
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| SWC |
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The boot is stuffed and it will lead to damage to the steering rack sooner or later.
It needs to be replaced. It is also a Roadworthy Failure. It is your car, do what you feel is best for you. |
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| Kaiverta |
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SWC wrote: The boot is stuffed and it will lead to damage to the steering rack sooner or later. It needs to be replaced. It is also a Roadworthy Failure. It is your car, do what you feel is best for you. I will definitely be getting it replaced, regardless. Just can't right this second (after $680 in repairs and rent due in five days). I'm gonna look into temporarily repairing it in the meantime. |
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| TimmyA |
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No temporary repair is worth the $12 it'll cost to do it right (assuming you own a shifter and maybe a pair of side cutters this is)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ford-EB-EF-E ... DJYv856Aiw Cheers, Tim
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| TimmyA |
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Also this boot doesn't hold back oil... It keeps dust out...
If you have oil inside the boot your rack is leaking past it's seals and probably needs a reco or replacement with another good second hand unit... Same as a CV boot... If you see it split you need to change the boot asap... If it gets dust in it then you'll chop it out in no time at all... Only difference with a CV boot is it does hold back grease... Cheers, Tim
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| Kaiverta |
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TimmyA wrote: Also this boot doesn't hold back oil... It keeps dust out... If you have oil inside the boot your rack is leaking past it's seals and probably needs a reco or replacement with another good second hand unit... Same as a CV boot... If you see it split you need to change the boot asap... If it gets dust in it then you'll chop it out in no time at all... Only difference with a CV boot is it does hold back grease... Cheers, Tim Thanks for the info. I don't have the tools to replace the boot. Just repairing it temporarily (until next service) will be a bit difficult. |
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| TimmyA |
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About the only repair I can think of is to get a plastic bag and tape it over the whole boot... Ensuring you leave enough for it to extend all the way out and all the way in... Outside of that it's pointless and you may as well just leave it and hope for the best til then...
Cheers, Tim
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